Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Church of St. Augustine of Montemaggiore, located in the heart of the village of Montemaggiore (comune of Montegrosso in Upper Corsica), is a religious building of Baroque architecture built in the 18th century. It is dedicated to Saint Augustine and is singularized by its dome, known as the largest of Corsica. The church is a central place of worship for the local community, integrated into a rural landscape marked by a traditional social organization.

The church was listed as historic monuments on 29 July 1987, recognizing its heritage value. It houses several classified works of art, including a pulpit to preach in 17th-century polychrome marble, a master altar with marble statues, and an 18th-century organ. These elements, of ligure or Tuscan origin, bear witness to cultural and artistic exchanges in the Mediterranean.

In 2024, the church was selected from the 18 winning sites of the Heritage Lotto, with a restoration project estimated at over €800,000. The planned works include the renovation of the roof, facades and bell tower, stressing the urgent need to preserve this emblematic heritage. The building remains a major religious and cultural symbol for the region.

The works preserved in the church, such as the paintings The Virgin with the Child giving the Rosary to Saint Dominique and Saint Catherine of Siena or The Assumption of the Virgin, as well as the statue of St Augustine in golden wood, illustrate the artistic and spiritual richness of the place. These rooms, which have been protected since the 1960s and 1990s, reinforce the historic significance of the building.

The church of Saint Augustine, owned by the municipality of Montegrosso, is a remarkable example of Corsican religious heritage. Its centered plan and interior decoration reflect Baroque influences while keeping in mind the local architectural context. The building continues to play a central role in the community and tourism life of the region.

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